"Only one idee that woman got it in her head, Abe. If I am out of the house _schon_ ten minutes already you couldn't tell her otherwise but I am playing auction pinocle." "Well, you might just as well of been playing auction pinocle last night for all the good it would do us." "What are you talking about--all the good it would do us?" Morris almost whimpered. "I actually got the feller dead to rights, Abe, and all I must do now is to work from the other end." Abe burst into a mirthless laugh and handed Morris the paper. "You should of worked the other end first, Mawruss," he declared, as he indicated an advertising item with his thumb. "That's what Leon Sammet did, Mawruss." Morris seized the paper and his face grew purple as he read the following notice: ENGAGED: Asimof--Gladstein. Mrs. Sonia Gladstein, of Bridgetown, Pa., to Jacob Asimof, of Dotyville, Pa. At home, Sunday next 3 to 7 at the residence of Mrs. Leah Sammet, 86-3/4 West One Hundredth and Eighteenth Street. No cards. "Leon's mother makes the engagement party for 'em, Mawruss," Abe said dryly. "Costs a whole lot of money, too, and I bet yer Mrs. Gladstein wouldn't notice it at all in the next six months' statements Leon sends to her." Morris stifled a groan as he laid down the paper and forced himself to smile confidently. "What difference does an engagement make, Abe?" he asked. "An engagement ain't a wedding, Abe, and it ain't too late even now." Again Abe indulged in a bitter laugh. "You're a regular optician, Mawruss," he said. "You never give up hope." "That's all right, Abe," Morris retorted. "We could stand a couple opticians in this concern. Always you are ready to lay down on a proposition just as soon as things goes a little wrong, understand me, but me I think differencely." Abe shrugged and rose to his feet. "Well, Mawruss," he said, "take off your hat and coat and stay a while. Maybe we could do a little business here this morning for a change." "Maybe we could and maybe we couldn't, Abe," Morris rejoined, as he buttoned up his coat; "but just the same I am going to do something which you will really be surprised." "Not at all," Abe corrected; "we are partners together so long that I am only surprised supposing you should act sensible." "Well, the way I look at it I am acting sensible, Abe," Morris announced. "I am acting sensible, because I am going right down to see Marcus Flachs and I would buy from him for ten dollars cut glass, and I would show that sucker Sammet he couldn't faze me none." "What d'ye mean, couldn't faze you none?" Abe asked.